The European Parliament launched its revised EU pharmaceutical package in the first quarter of 2023. The fragmentation of EU health research and development, a lack of transparency and a disparity between public investment and clinical output are among the weaknesses identified. Possible solutions include the creation of a large-scale European biomedical infrastructure, and a series of targeted strategies to improve the coordination of EU health research and reprioritise areas of healthcare with unmet therapeutic needs.

Towards a new EU pharmaceutical strategy - English

EP Plenary session - Recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments

ENVI Workshop on ' Complementary and alternative therapies for patients today and tomorrow '

Geography matters - Inequalities in Access to Stroke Care and Innovation in Europe

Meeting about lower sugar manufactured and prepared foods - Sugar wise

MEPs outline proposals to improve the protection of EU citizens against exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols, including from electronic cigarettes. In Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission has previously announced its intention to update the current Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments, which dates back to 20019. A revision was needed to extend its scope to certain emerging products, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco, due to the rapid market growth and appeal of such products in recent years, especially among young people. The Commission recommends EU countries reduce the risk of second-hand exposure by banning the use of all tobacco products in certain outdoor spaces, such as public playgrounds and amusement parks, areas related to restaurants/cafés, public transportation, healthcare and education establishments, as well as workplaces.

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: Closing statements

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: MEPs debate

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: Opening statements

In the EU, 1.8 million people under 75 died in 2021. 72 % of these deaths could have been avoided: 3 in 10 with timely, effective medical treatment; 7 in 10 with better preventive measures. In that same year, the leading causes of avoidable deaths were COVID-19, ischaemic heart diseases and lung cancer. These three diseases mostly affected men. The death rate from avoidable diseases also varies widely across the EU. Learn more about how the EU can turn the tide on preventable losses and create a healthier EU for everyone

Turning the tide on avoidable deaths in the EU

With the COVID-19 pandemic, war returning to Europe and the accompanying energy crisis, and a worsening economic outlook, all on top of a climate crisis, today's young Europeans are growing up in a volatile and difficult world. Concerns about economic prosperity, increasing competition for jobs, rising inflation and property prices make it difficult for young people to get ahead in life, to afford housing, to attain economic stability and to achieve a sense of satisfaction in society. Furthermore, underpinning many of these changes is digitalisation, which is also changing the way we socialise, work and live, with emerging consequences for mental health. Dive deeper:

EPRS - Mental health among young European

Health is essential for a fulfilling life—and a strong health sector is vital for both our well-being and our economy. In the EU, the health sector contributes 11% of GDP and provides one in ten jobs. But did you know that Europe is falling behind in health innovation compared to global competitors? Investing in EU-wide health innovation could unlock ground-breaking treatments, boost our competitiveness, and create new economic opportunities. By pooling resources and sharing risks, we can achieve more together—transforming lives while fostering growth. Discover more in our EPRS study on the Cost of Non-Europe in Health Policy

Unlocking health innovation

Air pollution continues to be the number one environmental cause of early death in the EU with around 300 000 premature deaths per year, with the most harmful being particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), SO2 (sulphur dioxide) and O3 (ozone). The draft report by Javi LOPEZ (S&D, ES) on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe sets stricter 2030 limits relative to the Commission proposal to ensure that air quality in the EU is not harmful to human health, natural ecosystems and biodiversity. MEPs also want to increase the number of air quality sampling points and harmonise currently-fragmented air quality indices to provide better information to citizens. This infoclip illustrates air pollution, an air quality sampling station and tests for pulmonary capacity and airborne allergies.

Infoclip: Ambient air quality

The COVI Committee (Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic) votes on its final report, adopted by 23 votes in favour, 13 against and one abstention. Extracts from the vote and statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP,ES), Rapporteur and by Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D,BE), COVI Chair. The report which concludes the year and three months a half long intensive work of the Committee on collecting the evidence and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had on citizens and their fundamental rights, the businesses, the health sector and international community.

COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future: extracts from the vote (12/06) and statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP, ES), Rapporteur and by Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D, BE), COVI Chair

Public health (T2)

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